Anti-measles campaign vaccinates 18.5M children so far: Health Min.

CAIRO: Some 18.5 million children have been vaccinated against measles during the first 10 days of a national campaign across Egypt, announced the Ministry of Health Monday.

Around 5,000 children have been infected with the disease since January 2015. According to official statements, the rate of infection rose in 2014 reaching some 1,740 cases, and recording at least six deaths.

The campaign targets to inoculate 24 million children from nine months to 10 years old from measles and Rubella (also known as German measles) by Nov. 21.

Measles is among the most contagious viral diseases, and its symptoms include fever, conjunctivitis, runny nose, cough and skin rash, which is often the first sign of illness.

Some 82,000 trained medical crew members are partaking in the campaign, the cost of which is estimated at 165 million EGP ($20 million.)